Four people accused in the recent cocaine smuggling case at the Swissport terminal of Kotoka International Airport have each been released on bail of GHC13 million, with four sureties required.

Under the terms of their bail, the suspects are required to report to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) twice weekly. In addition, they have been placed on a no-fly list, and their personal information has been forwarded to the Passport Office to prevent them from obtaining new travel documents.

The accused individuals include Gariba Soli, an artefact dealer based at the Arts Centre, and three freight forwarders: Josiah Baidoo, Emmanuel Mintah, and Kwabena Ampfo Anti. They have been charged with attempting to export 73 slabs of cocaine without a license.

They are facing charges of attempting to export a controlled substance without the required license, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possessing a controlled substance without authorization.

Court documents reveal that NACOC officers, while conducting a routine inspection at the Swissport terminal, discovered three wooden boxes labeled as containing artefacts. However, further examination revealed the boxes contained 73 slabs of a powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine.

During questioning, Gariba Soli, the first defendant, claimed that he was hired by an individual known only as Kevin to ship the artefacts to the Netherlands. Soli stated that he was unaware the boxes contained anything other than artefacts and was only informed during an inspection on April 23 that the items were cocaine.